Glass TEXpo 2018 Hosts a Busy Glass Industry

Post Time：May 16,2018Classify:Industry NewsView：918

A majority of the exhibitors described their businesses on a scale of
“busy” to “super busy,” as market growth continues across all industry
segments. Jim Charles, manufacturing representative, Groves Inc., says
he feels smaller glass shops are doing well right now. “I’m also seeing
independent fabricators doing a healthy business,” he says.

Companies continued to report a lack of skilled labor. Jim Reid, ACD
Enterprises Inc. representing Blink Blinds and Glass by ODL, says
manufacturing has reached capacity due to the labor shortage. “They
can’t make any more,” he says. “Everybody who wants to work has a job.”

John Olson, sales and rentals, Quattrolifts, says the labor shortage
is also preventing some industry members from pursuing larger
projects. “Companies are scared to place a bid on bigger jobs in case
they don’t have enough labor,” he says.

Exhibitors’ overall optimism is shared by Felix Munson, owner
of Anchor-Ventana Glass, and president of the Texas Glass Association.
Discussing the Texas glass industry, Munson says there is “a lot of
momentum in the market, and it’s very broad-based,” predicting continued
growth in new construction for the next 18-24 months.

While Munson highlighted the labor shortage as a continued industry
challenge, he also underlined the ways that the younger generation
entering the industry are influencing change, especially in the use of
technology. He says a large part of their contribution is their their
need to have information shared. “The younger generation is used to
sharing information,” says Munson. “It helps us be better business
people.”

The event was hosted in the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, and
sponsored by the Texas Glass Association, USGlass Magazine, USGNN and
the Architect’s Guide to Glass and Metal.